A memorial was erected to Lawrence Campbell, who police say ambushed and killed 23-year-old Jersey City police Officer Melvin Santiago early July 13. / John Minchillo, AP

by Michael Winter, USA TODAY

by Michael Winter, USA TODAY

Jersey City officials have lashed out at residents for defending the man who ambushed and killed a rookie cop Sunday and then erecting a pop-up memorial to the dead assassin.

Officer Melvin Santiago, 23, died as he responded to a 911 call about an armed robbery at a 24-hour Walgreens about 4 a.m.. He was shot in the head by 27-year-old Lawrence Campbell, who had stolen a store security guard's gun and waited outside for police to arrive. Other officers then killed Campbell.

The sidewalk memorial outside Campbell's home consists of several candles, some empty liquor bottles, balloons and two T-shirts filled with messages to their friend, the Associated Press reported. Tributes include "Rest easy," "Thug in peace" and "See u on the other side."

A smaller memorial to the slain officer has been set up outside the Walgreens.

Campbell's widow, Angelique, told a New Jersey TV station Sunday that although she was sorry for Santiago's family, she believed her husband "should've taken more with him." She apologized Monday, but not before Mayor Steven Fulop called her comments "disgusting" and "ignorant."

Samika Campbell defended the memorial, but not her cousin or his wife.

"We're not supposed to mourn for him because a cop got killed," she told WCBS-TV. "That's sad. Like we're not supposed to have feelings and emotions. We lost somebody, too."

Police Director James Shea said Angelique Campbell's comments and the memorial "to a cowardly murderer" don't reflect the sentiments of the city or most of the neighborhood.

"We know that because our officers interact with them every day," he said. "There is a minority of criminals that makes their job dangerous, but there is a large population up there that they are proud to serve."

The police union said in a statement that it was "disappointed by some media outlet's decision to posthumously bring the murderer the attention he sought, as well as the uprising of a shrine."

"What kind of society do we live in where memorializing a violent murderer is acceptable? Our hope in the coming days is that all attention will be directed towards the bravery of our lost brother, Patrolman Melvin Santiago."